Both Uses of
incumbent
in
The Scarlet Letter
- Much and deservedly to my own discredit, therefore, and considerably to the detriment of my official conscience, they continued, during my incumbency, to creep about the wharves, and loiter up and down the Custom-House steps.
Chpt Intr.incumbency = term in an official position
- It is essential, in order to form a complete estimate of the advantages of official life, to view the incumbent at the in-coming of a hostile administration.
Chpt Intr. *incumbent = person who currently holds an official position
Definition:
-
(incumbent as in: the incumbent governor) the person who currently holds an official position